The Lost Castles of Blairgowrie: Gormack and Knock-Ma-Har
Blairgowrie, a town steeped in Scottish history, is home to the remnants of many great castles and estates, each with its own unique past. However, while some fortresses still stand in ruins, whispering tales of feudal conflicts and noble legacies, others have vanished entirely, erased by time, war, and human development. Among these lost castles are Gormack and Knock-Ma-Har, two strongholds that once held strategic importance but have since disappeared from the landscape.
This article explores the history, possible locations, and mysteries surrounding these forgotten castles, piecing together their stories from historical records and local lore.
Gormack Castle: A Fortress of Strength and Mystery
Gormack Castle, though now completely vanished, is believed to have been a place of considerable strength in the 16th century. The castle was associated with the Buttar family, a noble lineage that held lands across Perthshire.
A Lost Location
The exact site of Gormack Castle remains a mystery, but historians suggest it may have stood near the present-day farm of West Gormack, a short distance from Blairgowrie. The lack of visible ruins suggests that its stones were likely repurposed for later buildings, a common fate of many medieval Scottish castles.
The Fate of Gormack Castle
Unlike some fortresses that fell due to sieges or clan battles, Gormack seems to have faded into history more quietly. There is little recorded about how or when it was destroyed, though it is likely that after the Buttar family’s decline, the castle was abandoned and eventually dismantled for building materials.
One intriguing theory is that it may have been destroyed during the turbulent 17th century, a time of civil war and Jacobite uprisings that saw many Scottish castles either razed or left to decay. Others believe that the Butter family simply moved their seat of power elsewhere, leaving Gormack to the elements.
Today, all that remains of Gormack Castle are the echoes of its existence in historical documents and the faint possibility that undiscovered foundations lie buried beneath the fields of West Gormack.
Knock-Ma-Har: A Castle Lost to Time
Knock-Ma-Har is even more elusive than Gormack. Unlike many castles in the region, no clear records remain detailing its exact location or ownership. It is presumed to have stood somewhere near Blairgowrie, but all traces of it have vanished, leaving historians with only speculation.
A Name Without a Story?
Unlike other castles that are frequently mentioned in historical accounts, Knock-Ma-Har appears only in a handful of references, leading some to question whether it was a true castle or simply a fortified manor house. Some theories suggest that it may have been a watchtower or an outpost, rather than a full-scale fortress.
Why Did It Disappear?
There are a few possible reasons why Knock-Ma-Har vanished so completely:
Natural Decay and Reuse of Materials – Many medieval buildings were constructed from valuable stone, which was later reused in newer structures. If Knock-Ma-Har was not particularly large or defensible, it may have been quickly dismantled once it was abandoned.
Political and Military Turmoil – If Knock-Ma-Har played any role in Scotland’s many conflicts, it could have been burned, looted, or otherwise destroyed in an attack. However, no clear records of such an event exist.
A Shift in Settlement Patterns – Many once-thriving settlements and fortresses in Scotland faded away when local populations moved elsewhere. If Knock-Ma-Har was situated in a location that became less desirable, it may have been left to ruin and eventually erased by nature.
Despite its complete disappearance, the name Knock-Ma-Har still lingers in historical records, keeping its memory alive even as its walls have crumbled into oblivion.
The Legacy of Scotland’s Lost Castles
The stories of Gormack and Knock-Ma-Har are reminders of how history can be both preserved and lost. While some Scottish castles still stand as ruins or restored heritage sites, others exist only in the pages of old documents, maps, and local folklore.
Though they may no longer physically exist, these castles are a testament to Scotland’s rich feudal past, when clans battled for land, families built strongholds to secure their power, and every fortress had a tale to tell. Perhaps, one day, new archaeological discoveries will shed light on the exact locations and histories of Gormack and Knock-Ma-Har, bringing these lost castles back into the story of Blairgowrie.
Until then, they remain a mystery, hidden in the landscape and in the minds of those who continue to seek Scotland’s forgotten past.
Adapted From: MacDonald, J. A. R. (1899). The history of Blairgowrie (town, parish, and district): Being an account of the origin and progress of the burgh from the earliest period, with a description of the antiquities, topography, civil history, ecclesiastical and parochial records, institutions, public works, manufactures, legends, sports, statistics, and biographical sketches of eminent persons. Advertiser Office.
